Swimming Pool Builders & Contractors

Bill Shepherd, Manager

Bill began working with Royal Pools in 1974, in his early teens, doing cleanups, pool-mucking during the rainy season, filling trenches and participating in the startups of new pools. He has been trained and involved in every aspect of the swimming pool construction and business. In 1981, he obtained his C-53 Swimming Pool Contractors License, and in 1988 became the General Manager of Royal Pools of Santa Clara, Inc.

When his father passed away in 1991, he assumed the presidency and full responsibility for the operation and continued success of Royal Pools. He is a hands-on type of contractor who enjoys going on excavations to meet our customers and ensure a smooth start of their backyard construction project. Like his father, his goal is for every pool owner to be happily satisfied with the construction and operations of their new Royal Pool.

Brian Miller, Designer

Brian Miller is our newest construction superintendent. Prior to joining Royal Pools, Brian spent 12 years working in swimming pool excavation. Brian is familiar with all aspects of gunite pool construction and really takes pride in getting our projects started smoothly.

Brian is an avid bird hunter and enjoys the outdoors. In addition to field work, Brian also enjoys designing and estimating pools. Hair growth (or lack of it) is his only downfall. Brian goes by the nicknames of “CB,” “Miller Time,” and “Cinco Tacos” and he is usually seen traveling with his companion and hunting dog Katie. We Know you will enjoy working with Brian.

Brian Velzy, Designer

Brian Velzy, our general manager, is a key player in the smooth operation and success of Royal Pools. Brian has his own C-53 Pool Contractors License and can resolve just about any situation. He’s a very early riser and can be caught at the San Jose office as early as 5:30 am. Brian’s hard-work ethic sets a great example for everybody involved with the construction of your swimming pool.

Dan Balcazar, Designer

Dan Balcazar, a native of San Jose can usually be found in and around our office on Camden Avenue. Dan has experience in all phases of the industry, from field supervisor and trouble- shooting, to sales, design and customer service. You can be sure that after your meeting with Dan, you’ll be left with a creative pool design, a fair competitive price, and a smile on your face.

Jeff Call, Draftsman

Jeff Call is our draftsman and our project initiator inside Royal Pools. No swimming pool gets permitted or excavated without his dedicated and painstaking contributions. If there are any surprises down at the building department regarding easements, new regulations, misinterpreted regulations, or just having been put under scrutiny by an inspector having a bad day, Jeff is the man who communicates the problem and usually comes up with a useful suggestion to satisfy any situation.

Some of the time you will find Jeff at the Camden Avenue office in San Jose. We say sometimes, because a lot of the time you can find him in your own backyard measuring and pre-siting the job a few days after you sign a contract with Royal Pools.

Lisa Amaral, Designer

Lisa Amaral, our newest addition to Royal’s Design and Estimating team comes with plenty of experience in swimming pool and spa design. Lisa is the older and wiser sister of Mitchell Baker (at least she thinks so). Both grew up in the area and learned a great deal from their father who designed pools for Royal in 1970’s and 1980’s. Lisa lives, breathes, and drinks swimming pools and spas. She has spent the last few years continuing her education in Landscape Design and Architecture and is currently working on obtaining her Society of Watershape Designers’ certification.

Mitchell Baker, Designer

Mitchell Baker, our youngest estimator, is certainly not new to the swimming pool industry and has been designing award winning waterscapes and landscapes for a decade. Like his boss Bill, Mitchell comes from a “pool family.” Mitchell brings with him the energy of youth and the excitement of a new generation of ideas. He also brings fervor for the latest gadgets, and in his efforts to involve his clients in an interactive approach to design, Mitchell utilizes 3-D imaging software, keen observation and the creative process to produce a personalized and unique waterscape for each family he has the pleasure to work with.

Rex Reed, Designer

Rex Reed, our resident free spirit, has a great eye when it comes to design. Rex earned his BA in Architecture from USC and still needs a haircut. But Rex is cool and he’s been around the block when it comes to construction. Rex has been remodeling homes for 20 years, and in doing so has completed some pretty unusual projects, all of them done with his characteristic zeal for excellence. He’s never in a hurry and his laid-back nature is really easy to get along with.

Rick Swan, Designer

Our very fun and energetic former marine Rick Swan, served in Vietnam and comes from a family of clowns— literally! His two brothers are actual circus clowns, and Rick has picked up a trick or two from them. Ask Rick to show you his juggling skills. You will be impressed, as you also will be with his creative swimming pool and spa designs.

Robert Bellavance, Accounting

Then there is Robert Bellavance in the finance department, who keeps the books and records up to date so that we stay in good standing with all the subcontractors and banks. We are listed with Dunn and Bradstreet if you care to check our financial stability. We pay our subcontractors every Friday, like clockwork, so it’s little wonder that when we schedule work to be done, the subcontractors know that if they get the work completed quickly and submit their bills to Royal Pools, they will get paid that Friday.

Sara Shepherd, Planner

Our ever serious and diligent schedulers, including Sara Shepherd, manage the progress of your project, schedule inspections and keep you informed of when things are going to happen. They help organize all of our projects to avoid conflicts, and schedule subcontractors to show up in a timely manner to continue swift progress in the construction of your swimming pool.

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Bill Shepherd, Manager Bill began working with Royal Pools in 1974, in his early teens, doing cleanups, pool-mucking during the rainy season, filling trenches and participating in the startups of new pools. He has been trained and involved in every aspect of the swimming pool construction and business. In 1981, he obtained his C-53 Swimming Pool Contractors License, and in 1988 became the General Manager of Royal Pools of Santa Clara, Inc. When his father passed away in 1991, he assumed the presidency and full responsibility for the operation and continued success of Royal Pools. He is a hands-on type of contractor who enjoys going on excavations to meet our customers and ensure a smooth start of their backyard construction project. Like his father, his goal is for every pool owner to be happily satisfied with the construction and operations of their new Royal Pool. Brian Miller, Designer Brian Miller is our newest construction superintendent. Prior to joining Royal Pools, Brian spent 12 years working in swimming pool excavation. Brian is familiar with all aspects of gunite pool construction and really takes pride in getting our projects started smoothly. Brian is an avid bird hunter and enjoys the outdoors. In addition to field work, Brian also enjoys designing and estimating pools. Hair growth (or lack of it) is his only downfall. Brian goes by the nicknames of “CB,” “Miller Time,” and “Cinco Tacos” and he is usually seen traveling with his companion and hunting dog Katie. We Know you will enjoy working with Brian. Brian Velzy, Designer Brian Velzy, our general manager, is a key player in the smooth operation and success of Royal Pools. Brian has his own C-53 Pool Contractors License and can resolve just about any situation. He’s a very early riser and can be caught at the San Jose office as early as 5:30 am. Brian’s hard-work ethic sets a great example for everybody involved with the construction of your swimming pool. Dan Balcazar, Designer Dan Balcazar, a native of San Jose can usually be found in and around our office on Camden Avenue. Dan has experience in all phases of the industry, from field supervisor and trouble- shooting, to sales, design and customer service. You can be sure that after your meeting with Dan, you’ll be left with a creative pool design, a fair competitive price, and a smile on your face. Jeff Call, Draftsman Jeff Call is our draftsman and our project initiator inside Royal Pools. No swimming pool gets permitted or excavated without his dedicated and painstaking contributions. If there are any surprises down at the building department regarding easements, new regulations, misinterpreted regulations, or just having been put under scrutiny by an inspector having a bad day, Jeff is the man who communicates the problem and usually comes up with a useful suggestion to satisfy any situation. Some of the time you will find Jeff at the Camden Avenue office in San Jose. We say sometimes, because a lot of the time you can find him in your own backyard measuring and pre-siting the job a few days after you sign a contract with Royal Pools. Lisa Amaral, Designer Lisa Amaral, our newest addition to Royal’s Design and Estimating team comes with plenty of experience in swimming pool and spa design. Lisa is the older and wiser sister of Mitchell Baker (at least she thinks so). Both grew up in the area and learned a great deal from their father who designed pools for Royal in 1970’s and 1980’s. Lisa lives, breathes, and drinks swimming pools and spas. She has spent the last few years continuing her education in Landscape Design and Architecture and is currently working on obtaining her Society of Watershape Designers’ certification. Mitchell Baker, Designer Mitchell Baker, our youngest estimator, is certainly not new to the swimming pool industry and has been designing award winning waterscapes and landscapes for a decade. Like his boss Bill, Mitchell comes from a “pool family.” Mitchell brings with him the energy of youth and the excitement of a new generation of ideas. He also brings fervor for the latest gadgets, and in his efforts to involve his clients in an interactive approach to design, Mitchell utilizes 3-D imaging software, keen observation and the creative process to produce a personalized and unique waterscape for each family he has the pleasure to work with. Rex Reed, Designer Rex Reed, our resident free spirit, has a great eye when it comes to design. Rex earned his BA in Architecture from USC and still needs a haircut. But Rex is cool and he’s been around the block when it comes to construction. Rex has been remodeling homes for 20 years, and in doing so has completed some pretty unusual projects, all of them done with his characteristic zeal for excellence. He’s never in a hurry and his laid-back nature is really easy to get along with. Rick Swan, Designer Our very fun and energetic former marine Rick Swan, served in Vietnam and comes from a family of clowns— literally! His two brothers are actual circus clowns, and Rick has picked up a trick or two from them. Ask Rick to show you his juggling skills. You will be impressed, as you also will be with his creative swimming pool and spa designs. Robert Bellavance, Accounting Then there is Robert Bellavance in the finance department, who keeps the books and records up to date so that we stay in good standing with all the subcontractors and banks. We are listed with Dunn and Bradstreet if you care to check our financial stability. We pay our subcontractors every Friday, like clockwork, so it’s little wonder that when we schedule work to be done, the subcontractors know that if they get the work completed quickly and submit their bills to Royal Pools, they will get paid that Friday. Sara Shepherd, Planner Our ever serious and diligent schedulers, including Sara Shepherd, manage the progress of your project, schedule inspections and keep you informed of when things are going to happen. They help organize all of our projects to avoid conflicts, and schedule subcontractors to show up in a timely manner to continue swift progress in the construction of your swimming pool.